The U.S. State Department has revoked over 6,000 student visas in 2025, citing violations such as assault, driving under the influence (DUI), burglary, and alleged support for terrorism. Approximately 4,000 of these revocations were due to criminal offenses, while 200 to 300 were linked to activities deemed supportive of terrorist organizations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appointed by President Donald Trump, has defended the revocations, stating that the U.S. has the right to revoke visas for individuals whose actions contradict U.S. foreign policy interests. He emphasized that non-citizens do not possess constitutional protections regarding free speech.
Critics argue that the revocations disproportionately target students involved in political activism, particularly those protesting U.S. policies in Gaza. Notably, students like Mahmoud Khalil from Columbia University and Rümeysa Öztürk from Tufts University have faced visa issues after participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. These actions have raised concerns about potential violations of First Amendment rights.
The Trump administration’s approach includes enhanced scrutiny of social media accounts for visa applicants, aiming to identify any indications of hostility toward U.S. citizens, culture, government, or support for designated foreign terrorist organizations. This policy has led to increased uncertainty among international students and has prompted legal challenges, with some students arguing that the revocations are arbitrary and lack transparency.
As the situation develops, the balance between national security concerns and the protection of free speech and due process remains a contentious issue in U.S. immigration policy. More than 1.1 million international students from over 210 countries were enrolled in U.S. colleges in the 2023-24 school year, highlighting the potential wide-reaching impact of these visa revocations.
